Virgin Australia Launches 35% Discount on Points Purchases (0.97¢ USD Each) Virgin Australia Launches 35% Discount on Points Purchases (0.97¢ USD Each)

Virgin Australia Launches 35% Discount on Points Purchases (0.97¢ USD Each)

Bonus Points

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.

This buy points promotion has ended; see current buy points promotions.

You can now buy Virgin Australia Velocity points with up to a 35% discount through May 8, 2025. You can buy up to 250,000 points, but not all purchases will receive the same bonus. When maximized, the cost per point drops to as little as 1.52¢ AUD each — or just 0.97¢ USD per point.

Understandably, Virgin Australia sells Velocity points in Australian Dollars. Since Virgin Velocity points are most useful to our Australian readers, we will list prices in AUD. However, for reference, the current exchange rate is 1 USD = 1.52 AUD.

Before you purchase Velocity points, keep in mind that Virgin Australia is in the process of gutting its Velocity frequent flyer program. So, sweet spots that previously existed may no longer be available.

Buy Virgin Australia Velocity Points Promotion Key Terms

  • This promotion is available through 11:59 p.m. AEST on May 8, 2025.
  • Virgin Australia Velocity members can buy up to 250,000 points per transaction and calendar year.
  • Points purchases are non-refundable.
  • Virgin typically deposits purchased points within 24 hours of completing the purchase.
  • You can find the offer terms and conditions at the bottom of the page here and the full Virgin Velocity terms and conditions here.
Buy Virgin Australia points with a discount.
Credit: Virgin Australia

This 35% discount promotion gradually reduces the cost per point as you buy more. Be sure to do the math ahead of time to ensure you're getting the best value based on the number of points you purchase.

The best value comes when you buy between 50,000 and 250,000 points, where the full 35% discount applies. At that level, the cost per point is 1.52¢ AUD — or about 0.97¢ USD.

If you purchase between 1,000 and 19,000 points, no discount applies. For quantities between 20,000 and 49,000 points, the discount increases slightly with each tier. Still, the best deal kicks in at 50,000 points.

Unless you only need a small number of points to top off your account, this promotion is really only worth it if you can lock in the lowest rate.

Buy Virgin Australia points with a discount.
Credit: Virgin Australia

Why can't I buy any Virgin Australia points?

One annoying quirk members might run into is the inability to buy points if they don't have any points history with Virgin Australia. If that's the case, you could run into this notice:

“Members with zero points are unable to buy points at this time.”

Thankfully, there's a quick fix for this: Simply make a small points transfer to your Velocity account. Virgin Australia is a transfer partner of multiple points currencies, meaning you can make a minimum transfer from one of the following and gain the ability to buy Virgin Australia Velocity points:

From
To
Transfer Ratio
Min.Transfer
Average Time
Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)
3:1
3,000
Unknown
Accor Group (ALL - Accor Live Limitless)
Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)
-
Unknown
Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)
Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)
1,000:400
2,000
Unknown
IHG Hotels & Resorts (One Rewards)
Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)
-
Unknown
Shangri-La (Circle)
Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)
1,000
Unknown

Related: Do Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Points Expire?

A Note on Buying Points and Miles

At AwardWallet, our primary goal is to show people how to get the best value for their points and miles. We prefer to earn points and miles through credit card sign-up bonuses and bonus category spending. But when there is a promotion to buy points and miles, such as this one, then it's definitely worth a look.

For example, if you're just short of points for your next award redemption, buying the last few points could be cheaper than paying the cash rate for the flight. Moreover, if you're planning to pay full price for an expensive ticket, buying the necessary points for an equivalent reward redemption could be the cheaper option.

Regardless, always do the math beforehand to ensure you're going the cheaper route.

Virgin Velocity Buy Points History

Virgin Australia only started selling points within the last couple of years. But in that time, it has rolled out nearly a dozen promotions, with almost all of them offering a discount. This time is no different.

Due to the fluctuating exchange rate between the U.S. and Aussie dollars, seeing the same bonus or discount level with a different cost-per-point rate might look strange. But regardless, buying these points will most likely only matter to our friends down under.

Here's the complete history of Virgin Australia buy points promotions:

Promotion EndedMax Bonus/DiscountMin Center per Point (USD)
2025-05-0835% Discount0.97
2025-02-2540% Bonus1.1
2024-12-1940% Discount0.89
2024-07-1040% Discount0.93
2024-05-1535% Discount1
2024-03-1930% Discount1.1
2023-12-1140% Discount0.92
2023-12-0420% Discount1.2
2023-11-0715% Discount1.26
2023-10-0525% Discount1.13
2023-07-2840% Discount1.59

Using Your Virgin Velocity Points After Buying

Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program — which is limited to residents of Australia, New Zealand, and a handful of nearby Pacific islands — has a few valuable reward redemptions that could make buying points worthwhile:

  • Quick flights across North America on United: For flights under 600 miles, you'll pay 8,500 points for one-way economy tickets and 16,500 points for one-way domestic first class.
  • Longer United flights across North America: For flights between 601 and 1,200 miles, you'll pay 12,500 Velocity points in economy and 25,000 points in domestic first class.
  • United Airlines transatlantic flights: Flights under 3,600 miles start at 23,500 Velocity points in economy and 51,500 in business.
  • Explore Africa and the Middle East on Qatar Airways: For Qatar Airways flights under 2,400 miles, you'll pay as little as 22,000 points in economy or 61,000 in business class.
  • Fly from the U.S. to Doha in Qatar Qsuites business class: You can fly one of the best business classes in the sky from Boston, Montreal, and more for 104,000 points — but mind the taxes and fees.
Virgin Australia redemption on Qatar Airways, from YUL to DOH.
Credit: Virgin Australia

Related: The Sweet Spots of Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

Maximize Your Purchase

Virgin Australia sells its points through Points.com, so your purchase won't be coded as a flight purchase or travel payment. Consider using one of these cards if you buy Virgin Australia points:

Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?

Bottom Line

Virgin Australia Velocity is offering up to a 35% discount when you buy up to 250,000 points through May 8, 2025. If maximized, you can get Virgin Velocity points for just 1.52¢ AUD (0.97¢ USD) apiece.

It's important to do the math to determine the best value for the points you want to buy — especially considering how much the exchange rate fluctuates up and down. If you happen to be one of our U.S.-based readers eligible for the Velocity program, the current exchange rate makes this promotion fall somewhere in the middle in terms of value for what we've seen from Virgin Australia.

Having said that, you might be better off waiting to grab some points until a better promotion rolls around — but if you're in need of Virgin Velocity points right away, this promotion can provide an upgrade in value from the baseline cost of Velocity points.

Do you plan on buying Virgin Australia Velocity points with up to a 35% discount?

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know that you can view all accounts with balances that have changed in the last week or month? To filter your loyalty accounts by these options, select the Changed within 1 week or Changed within 1 month option in the Views menu.
Show me how

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *